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Impacts of Meteorological Parameters on COVID-19 Transmission Trends in the Central Part of Thailand

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Abstract

This study investigates the complex correlation between air pollution, meteorological factors, and daily COVID-19 cases in central Thailand. The arithmetic means and standard deviations of trace gaseous species, meteorological factors, daily COVID-19 incidence, and PM2.5 concentrations are displayed. Univariate analysis, using Pearson correlation, shows strong positive relationships with daily COVID-19 incidence and O3, consistent with global studies. Previous research has found negative connections between the daily average levels of PM2.5 and NO2 with O3. This study investigates the mechanism of the interaction between O3 and NOx, with a particular focus on its termination under specific atmospheric circumstances and the subsequent negative correlations between O3 and NO2. A Multiple Linear Regression Analysis (MLRA) is performed, which shows significant positive MLRA coefficients for O3 in different areas of Thailand during the COVID-19 lockdown. The significant decreases in NO2 and other air pollution emissions are associated with substantial improvements in ground-level O3. The rise in O3 levels is linked to an increase in the atmosphere’s ability to oxidize, resulting in the formation of secondary aerosols. This has consequences for human respiratory health and might potentially contribute to a rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths. The existence of positive associations between ground-level O3 and COVID-19 infections is recognized, taking into account the detrimental impact on respiratory health. Nevertheless, the study prudently acknowledges that a correlation between variables does not necessarily indicate a cause-and-effect relationship. It emphasizes the presence of other influential factors such as population density, healthcare infrastructure, public health initiatives, and socioeconomic determinants that may obfuscate the results. To summarize, the study offers valuable understanding of the intricate relationships among air contaminants, meteorological circumstances, and the occurrence of COVID-19 in Thailand. This highlights the possible influence of ground-level O3 on respiratory well-being and indicates the necessity for further research to clarify any direct correlation with COVID-19 infection.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Data Availability

Data will be made available on request.

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Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by the United States Department of State (Grant No. 2222060016) under the Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP) Pathfinder Health Programme. The authors thank the staff of the U.S. Embassy Bangkok for assisting in conducting the project interview. The authors would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Stephen Eubank for his valuable comments on this project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. NIDA Research Center of Disaster Prevention Management, School of Social & Environmental Development, National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), 118 Sereethai, Klongchan, Bangkapi, Bangkok, 10240, Thailand

    Siwatt Pongpiachan

  2. College of Arts, Media and Technology, 239 Huaykaew Rd., Suthep, Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

    Jayakrit Hirisajja

  3. Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), SM Tower 979/66 70 Phahonyothin Rd, Phaya Thai, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

    Aekkapol Aekakkararungroj

  4. SERVIR/ARSET - NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Martin Rd SW, Huntsville, AL, 35808, USA

    Pawan Gupta

  5. Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, 96 Phaholyothin Soi 7, Phaholyothin Rd., Phayathai, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

    Siwaporn Rungsiyanon

  6. Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University Hat-Yai Campus, Songkla, 90112, Thailand

    Chomsri Choochuay

  7. Division of Environmental Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, 10800, Thailand

    Woranuch Deelaman

  8. National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Public Organization), 260 Moo 4, T. Donkaew, A. Maerim, Chiang-Mai, Chiang Mai, 50180, Thailand

    Saran Poshyachinda

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  1. Siwatt Pongpiachan
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Contributions

Conceived and designed the experiments: S.P., S.P., K.P., and S.R.; analyzed and interpreted the data: S.P., J.H., A.A., S.P., W.D., and C.C.; wrote the paper: S.P., J.H, P.W., C.C., W.D., and S.P.; contributed reagents, materials, analysis tools or data: S.P., S.R., A.A., and J.H., performed the experiments: J.H., A.A.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jayakrit Hirisajja.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the study reported in this manuscript. Author “Siwatt Pongpiachan” is a member of the editorial board of Aerosol Science and Engineering.

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Pongpiachan, S., Hirisajja, J., Aekakkararungroj, A. et al. Impacts of Meteorological Parameters on COVID-19 Transmission Trends in the Central Part of Thailand. Aerosol Sci Eng (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41810-024-00224-w

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